“Thank you for helping with the flower festival,” she said as the door appeared, “and thanks for helping the Muddlepups.”
They both hugged her.
“I’ll come and visit you again,” Goldie promised.
“I hope it will be soon,” said Lily.
“Me, too!” said Jess. “Bye, Goldie.” She opened the door and stepped into the shimmering golden light.
Lily followed and both girls found themselves back in Brightley Meadow. Snow was falling softly, sparkling white. It was nothing like the dirty gray slush around Grizelda’s tower.
“Let’s hurry back,” said Jess. “That hot chocolate will be waiting!” The girls knew that no time passed in the human world while they were in Friendship Forest.
They raced across the meadow, over the stream, and up the garden until they reached the woodpeckers’ aviary. They crept inside the enclosure and quietly lifted the nest-box lid. The chicks were snuggled together, fast asleep.
“Aww, they’re just like Dig and Tipper,” said Lily.
“But quieter!” giggled Jess.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Hart passed them steaming mugs of hot chocolate with pink marshmallows. “You’ll never guess what I just saw,” she said. “Ollie was walking his dog, and a beautiful golden cat walked right alongside it, almost like they were friends!”
Lily and Jess shared a secret smile. That golden cat was their friend, too. Their magical friend! They couldn’t wait for their next adventure with Goldie in Friendship Forest!
The End